Comments on: This is the ION motherboard!

By: Tero

Tero — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:29:55 +0000

I also love the idea of fitting it in gender changer cover. If people are willing to share the converter designs, I will gladly put them in a dedicated page of Wiki. Just drop me an email.

PCB’s are dirt cheap nowadays, I have many times used this service (~$1 per PCB):
http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb/pcb-prototyping/im120418001.html

By: Jason Jack

Jason Jack — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:07:15 +0000

Thanks Tero, that’s an excellent idea. Tony – that’s a brilliant idea to use the gender changer housing! I’ll do that.

Regards,

Jason

By: TonyT

TonyT — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:48:51 +0000

I like the idea of a PCB converter board; I would only add consider making one that will fit into a DSub gender changer backshell (such as a Norcomp 957-009-xxx DB9 or 957-015-xxx DB15 sized).

If you just need to make a couple converters, another approach is to use the gender changer backshell with a pair of D-Sub M/F connectors (solder or crimp) and just wire it up – I’ve just this approach myself with HD15M/F crimp connectors.

By: Tero

Tero — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 09:50:40 +0000

I quickly checked the pin-out of RGH. It seems to be quite much different to what we use so any software solution is not possible. If you need to use them a lot, then making a small converter PCB might save time. Such adapter could be just a tiny piece of PCB with two D15 connectors and wiring of signals to another pins.

It’s really a pity there isn’t any De facto standard for encoder connectors.

By: Jason Jack

Jason Jack — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 05:14:35 +0000

Hi Tero,

I have another long-shot idea for you but don’t know whether it would be practical or useful to others besides myself. It would be nice if the encoder inputs were configurable so that encoders such as Renishaw LM and RGH series could connect without rewiring the standard plug.

Best regards,

Jason

By: walter

walter — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:38:27 +0000

Whoa 16 axis, that’s awesome.

By: Tero

Tero — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 17:14:15 +0000

It’s already there :)

By: walter

walter — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:49:59 +0000

I need the ability to daisy chain motherboards for 5-6 axis machines.

By: Tero

Tero — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:43:21 +0000

Thanks for useful feedback, Jason!

I’ll see if we can fit a relay in it (it takes more pins in terminal and there’s not lots of space for wider connectors). However, having relay driver outputs might give more freedom (can use large contactors, solid state relays etc).

By: Tero

Tero — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:17:50 +0000

I’m dreaming of community driven open source project for SimpleMotion Mach4 support. I’m looking forward starting and coordinating that project once Mach4 is out. It is definitely the way to go after step/dir era.